HGS in a Rental Car in Turkey: How the Toll System Works

Tolls on Turkey's motorways and bridges are now collected entirely through HGS (Hızlı Geçiş Sistemi, the fast toll system). If you drive your own car, this system may have become a habit, but when it comes to a rental car the rules change. One of the most frequent questions our customers ask at RentaCarSAW is "How does HGS work in a rental car?" In this guide we explain all the details.

What Is HGS and How Does It Differ From OGS?

HGS is an electronic payment system that, thanks to an RFID tag attached to the car, lets you pass through toll stations without stopping. OGS (Otomatik Geçiş Sistemi) was based on older technology and has effectively been out of use since 2020. Today, every vehicle passing a toll station must either have an HGS tag or be billed via the licence-plate recognition system and pay later.

HGS in a Rental Car: Does the Company Provide It or Should You Get It?

The answer depends entirely on the policy of the company you rent from. You will see three scenarios:

• The company provides HGS included: When the car is handed over, there is an active tag on the windscreen. Toll fees are deducted from the company's account and charged to you at return along with a service fee + commission.
• The company provides HGS but with no balance: Even if the tag is on the windscreen, a violation is recorded when you pass if the balance is zero. Always ask about the balance at handover.
• No HGS, you are asked to handle it yourself: In this case you may need to get a temporary HGS tag from the post office (PTT) or from banks.

The HGS Clause in the Contract: What to Watch For

The rental contract must include these three pieces of information:

• The unit price of the pass (the actual motorway fee)
• The service/operation fee (varies from 25 to 100 TL depending on the company)
• Whether a late-notification penalty is applied

Some companies may charge up to 50 TL commission per pass. If you are planning a long intercity route, this amount rises quickly.

Disputing a Debt After Return and Closing the Account

Can an HGS debt still appear after you return the car? Yes. The highway administration sometimes reflects pass data in the system with a 7–15 day delay. If you think an unfair pass has been charged:

• Check the pass date and toll-station location for the licence plate via the HGS query screen
• Prove, using the contract date, that the car was not in your possession on that date
• File a written objection with the company; if it is not resolved, apply to the General Directorate of Highways (Karayolları)

Practical Tip: Be Sure to Ask at Pick-Up

At RentaCarSAW, we recommend taking the HGS policy into account when comparing over 100 companies. When collecting the car, be sure to ask these questions: "Is the HGS tag in this car active, does it have a balance?" and "How much is the service fee per pass?" This small check protects you from surprise bills after return.

If you want to clarify the HGS policy before renting, our RentaCarSAW experts will help you find the most suitable company. Call us on +90 850 304 94 30 or message us via WhatsApp on +90 544 581 94 30.